During the summer months, traffic on the 5 freeway is extremely high. Especially, during the day. That’s why it’s important to plan your trip in advance. So, how can you minimize the effects of traffic on the 5 freeway?
Southbound 5 Freeway
During the first week of the month, the southbound 5 Freeway near Burbank will close for three weeks while Caltrans District 7 makes some much-needed upgrades. The freeway will close between the Empire Avenue interchange and Magnolia Boulevard. The closure will last for at least two hours. Detours will be posted.
There was also a multi-vehicle pileup on the southbound 5 Freeway in the Elysian Park area that closed the freeway for a while. The California Highway Patrol issued a SigAlert for the aforementioned crash. While no one was seriously injured, the multi-vehicle pileup closed the 5 Freeway and caused a cascade of delays.
In addition, the southbound 5 Freeway will have to close for at least two weeks for a bridge construction project. The bridge is scheduled to be completed before the end of 2021. In the meantime, motorists are advised to plan ahead and expect delays.
While this is the first phase of the SR-126 project, the second phase will start on Sunday. The project is a collaboration between Caltrans, the city of Burbank and Metro. The project is part of the High Occupancy Vehicle program that is aimed at improving traffic flow in the Los Angeles area. A lane reduction will also be rolled out on the eastbound Crown Valley Parkway.
Traffic on the 5 freeway
During this week, the 5 Freeway will be closed in the Santa Clarita Valley. As part of the I-5 North County Enhancements Project, the 5 Freeway will be widened to include a bridge over Weldon Canyon Road, which will span the width of the freeway. This will help to reduce congestion and improve the flow of truck freight.
There are two lanes closed in the area since the Route Fire. The other two lanes will be closed for a while, possibly for the foreseeable future. The I-5 North County Enhancements Project is an initiative to improve the main route of travel between Northern and Southern California. The project is estimated to cost $679 million.
The 5 Freeway is closed to traffic between SR-14 and Calgrove Boulevard. This includes a double lane closure in both directions. The best way to get around this closure is to follow detour signs when they are available. Some exit ramps may also be closed. The freeway will reopen on Wednesday, December 1.
The biggest reason for this closure is to complete the I-5 North County Enhancements Project. The project is expected to reduce congestion and improve the flow of truck traffic in the Central Valley. The project will also enhance the travel experience for motorists and commuters alike.
Truck collision avoidance technology
Several years ago, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) initiated a study on collision avoidance systems for large trucks. They studied collisions that occur in the trucking industry and found that using these technologies could have prevented at least half of them.
Collision avoidance technologies work by alerting drivers early on to potential problems in the roadway. The most popular systems use radar or cameras to detect objects and warning the driver of a possible collision.
Another technology, called Automatic Emergency Braking, reduces the impact speed of a collision. The system detects a vehicle ahead and applies the brakes as soon as it is within a preset distance. The impact speed is reduced by 50 percent in most cases.
Another system, called the Forward Collision Avoidance and Mitigation System, uses cameras and radar to identify a vehicle ahead and warn the driver if a collision is imminent. The system also provides adaptive cruise control to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead.
Another technology, called the Pedestrian Detection System, uses sensors to monitor the roadway and alert the driver if a pedestrian is in front of the truck. The system uses an onboard computer to monitor the sensors. The driver can then reduce speed or change lanes to avoid a collision.
